Arsenal 0 - 1 Roma
              Montella 45

A goal out of nowhere meant defeat for Arsenal on the final day of the Alpine vacation, but - and we're not just saying this - it wasn't really about the result.

Arsene Wenger's plans for next season are definitely becoming clear. It looks like Lauren will play at right back, with Pires being allowed to come into the middle a bit more. That might mean pushing Wiltord wide, a role he's not uncomfortable with. Van Bronckhorst looks like being Vieira's regular partner in the middle - otherwise the new signings will be benched for now.

Wednesday's game was tight, occasionally tense, and forced little of note in either penalty area - with the exception of the final minute of the first half. Seconds after grazing the (outside) of Seaman's far post, Roma smacked one off the crossbar... and then finally found their goal.

Seaman came out starfish-like to block the onrushing Batistuta - but the Argentinian chipped him. Adams chased back towards the goal-line, and (yes!) performed an overhead kick to clear it... to the unmarked Montella. Oops.

On the bright side... we lost by the odd goal to the Serie A champions. It could have been much worse - like, for example, losing by the odd goal to the champions of Scotland. Tee hee.